Prevention of mcpd formation in triacylglyceride oils

Abstract

A method is provided for preventing or reducing the formation of monochloropropanediols (MCPDs) or monochloro-propanediol esters (MCPDEs) in triacylglyceride oil, comprising the steps: (a) concentrating insoluble components in liquid starting triacylglyceride oil by (i) applying a centrifugational force on the triacylglyceride oil whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; and/or (ii) allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; (b) separating the triacylglyceride oil from the insoluble components; (c) optionally applying additional refining steps and (d) applying heat treatment to the triacylglyceride oil. A purified triacylglyceride oil obtainable by the method of the invention is also provided.

1 . A method for preventing or reducing the formation of monochloropropanediols (MCPDs) or monochloropropanediol esters (MCPDEs) in triacylglyceride oil, comprising the steps:
 concentrating insoluble components in liquid starting triacylglyceride oil by   applying a centrifugational force on the starting triacylglyceride oil whilst maintaining the starting triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; and/or   allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature;   separating the triacylglyceride oil from the insoluble components; and   applying heat treatment to the triacylglyceride oil.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, the starting triacylglyceride oil is melted by heating it to above its melting temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a centrifugational force is applied on the triacylglyceride oil whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has a free fatty acid content of at least 0.5 (w/w %). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the centrifugation is carried out at a g-force above 200 g. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step (a), the insoluble components are allowed to settle by gravitational force whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature. 
     
     
         7 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil is selected from the group consisting of a plant oil, animal oil, fish oil or algal oil, preferably a plant oil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil is palm oil or fractions obtained from palm oil. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil is sunflower oil or its high oleic variants. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has a water content of less than 1%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has not been admixed with an acid or alkali. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil is devoid of added crystallization agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has a crystallized triacylglycerol content less than 10% (w/w %). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has a soap content of less than 1000 ppm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has not been admixed with a salt. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil is devoid of any added ionic, cationic and anionic surfactants and/or additives. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has a bleaching clay content of less than 0.01%. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the starting triacylglyceride oil has not been cooled below 20° C. 
     
     
         21 . A purified triacylglyceride oil obtainable by the method of  claim 1 .